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Research Objectives <OL> <LI> Conduct a survey of fresh market farmers in Georgia, Virginia, and South Carolina and of managers of small farm markets in order to understand current practices and to guide the research and Extension efforts of the project. <LI> Determine the effect of commonly used soil amendments, such as various manures, identified in a preliminary survey by the project team of 50 small to medium farms, and their effect on the persistence of human foodborne pathogens in soil microcosms. <LI> Determine the degree of norovirus and Salmonella transfer from hands to produce and produce processing, transport and distribution contact surfaces that are either washed or unwashed and investigate the reduction of norovirus and Salmonella contamination after rinsing or washing produce items that have been previously washed or unwashed. <LI> Determine the effectiveness of electrostatic spraying of selected antimicrobials, compared to traditional sanitation methods, as a means to decontaminate food contact surfaces comprised of materials commonly found in small-scale produce operations and markets. </ol> Extension Objectives <OL> <LI> Incorporate research results into a food safety educational program for farmers on small and/or medium farms. <LI> Develop, implement, and evaluate a food safety curriculum package designed for small to medium farms in formats for classroom-style trainings and as self-study web modules. <LI> Identify positive deviants/innovators among farm market managers and use these as the models for training other farm market managers. <LI> Develop, implement, and evaluate a food safety curriculum package designed for managers of small farm markets in formats for classroom-style trainings and as self-study web modules. <LI> Train County Extension Agents in the use of the curriculum packages. <LI> Deliver and evaluate workshop sessions for small grower organizations and evaluate trainings for market managers. <LI> Create awareness of GAPs and how this might expand markets.
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: As more fresh produce has been eaten in the U.S., there have been more cases of foodborne illness associated with it. Americans are turning to organic and locally grown foods as healthier, safer alternatives than mass-produced products. Organic produce sales have increased 20% annually since 1990. Since small to medium farms that typically supply organic and locally grown produce may not have the training, the personnel or the resources to develop food safety plans, are these products really safer This project will examine practices on farms and in farm markets to determine current conditions that exist and how those conditions affect bacterial and viral contamination of fresh produce. We will look at materials added to soils to make them more fertile and the effects they have on disease-causing organisms that may be present in soil and on produce. We will examine methods of handling and processing to reduce the risk of contamination of fresh produce. The results of our studies will be translated into educational materials for small and mid-size farms and farm markets in an effort to enhance the safety of organic and locally grown foods for consumers. The significance of this project to agriculture is the enhanced safety and marketability of locally grown produce.
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APPROACH: Surveys will be developed, tested and implemented with farms and farm market managers to determine food safety practices. Soil samples with common amendments will be inoculated with Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 to determine effects of amendments on survival. A randomized block treatment design will be the model and analysis of variance will be conducted using the SAS mixed models procedure. The degree of norovirus and Salmonella transfer from hands to produce and food contact surfaces, washed or unwashed, will be determined using standard methods. Reduction of norovirus and Salmonella contamination after rinsing or washing produce that has been previously washed or unwashed will be determined using standard methods. The amount of microorganism transfer to produce surfaces will be evaluated by standard plaque assay for viruses or standard plating methods for Salmonella. Similar methods will be employed for investigating transfer of microorganisms to clean or dirty surfaces by gloved hands. Separate selected surfaces will be inoculated with L. monocytogenes (to evaluate effectiveness on biofilm-producing bacterial pathogens), Salmonella serovars (to evaluate non-biofilm producing bacterial pathogens), and murine norovirus (to evaluate effectiveness on enteric viruses). Surfaces will be treated with electrostatic and non-electrostatic sprays and common application methods cited in the surveys. For each type of pathogenic microorganism, a randomized complete block design will be used. Each combination will include multiple spray targets for averaging within each traverse by the applicator. Analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple range test will determine differences (P<0.05) among treatment means resulting from various approaches for spray application. A logic model will be developed as the basis for the Extension/outreach initiative. Extension Agents, survey data and/or grower associations will identify small to medium farms to feature in video footage and/or photos for educational materials. Extension Agents as well as survey data will identify managers of small farmers' markets that are positive deviants (have similar resources as all or most, but have initiated practices to mitigate potential risks). These managers identified will be interviewed in-depth about practices implemented in their markets. These markets will serve as a model and will be featured in video footage and/or photos for the training curriculum and on-line modules. The curriculum design will include both instructor materials and participant materials. A training DVD with video and supporting materials will be developed. Supporting materials will include forms designed to improve record keeping by small farmers and market managers. Information will be included on becoming trained in GAPs. Educational materials will be developed in English and Spanish for face-to-face classroom trainings and for on-line training modules for use in situations when classroom training is impractical. Workshops will be conducted for trainers and grower organizations. Outcome data will be interpreted by the evaluation specialist.